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Factors Determining the Choice of Hunting and Trading Bushmeat in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania
A study published in Conservation Biology, in which the authors spoke with 325 actors involved directly in the bushmeat trade in Tanzania, offers interesting insight into possible factors that might contribute to a reduction in bushmeat hunting, trade, and consumption. Researchers found that options such as alternative employment in jobs with comparable daily salary, or giving hunters animals for farming purposes, were potentially more effective than heavy fines or increased enforcement. READ MORE

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Acceptability of Electrical Stunning and Post-Cut Stunning Among Muslim Communities: A Possible Dialogue
As Muslim populations in Europe increase, so too does friction between European regulations for humane slaughter (which require stunning) and traditional methods of Jewish and Muslim slaughter, which specifically prohibit animals from sustaining injury prior to cutting of the neck. Though Halal and Kosher slaughter are exempt from the same rules on stunning, as populations increase, the pressure for updating traditional practices builds. Using Reggio Emilia in Italy (with a Muslim population of 10.1%) as a case study, researchers gathered together various stakeholders in the Muslim community for an open dialogue on whether or not methods of stunning could be employed during slaughter in a way that still met with ritual requirements. Slaughter demonstrations were held and those in attendance of these demonstrations showed interest in the proposals and further dialogue is ongoing. READ MORE

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Regulatory Animal Testing: A Survey of the Factors Influencing the Use of Animal Testing to Meet Regulatory Requirements
This extensive 2005 Dutch pilot study conducted in-depth interviews with animal testing stakeholders to report on ways that animal testing can be reduced in Europe. Multiple factors contributing to the continuation of animal testing were explored, including regulatory and legislative, technical, political and administrative, and social factors. The study identified opportunities for change, primarily associated with improved communication and coordination. READ MORE

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Fisheries of the United States (2012)
In this annual report covering 2012, the U.S. government estimates that commercial fish "landings" totaled 9.6 billion pounds for the year (fish deaths are measured in pounds, not individual lives). This represented a 2.3% decrease from the previous year (2011). Measured in value, commercial landings in 2012 were estimated to be $5.1 billion, 3.2% lower than in 2011. Recreational fishing accounted for 380 million individual fish being caught in 2012, with 60% of those fish being released, according to survey results. READ MORE

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Explaining Dehumanization Among Children: The Interspecies Model of Prejudice
This article describes two studies of children that explore the connection between assumptions of human superiority to animals and racism. White Canadian 6-10 year olds attributed more "uniquely human" characteristics to photos of white children than to photos of black children, and perceived the black children as more similar to animals. Parents' beliefs in human superiority strongly predicted children's racism. However, watching a video about similarities between humans and animals moderated children's attitudes towards humans and animals. READ MORE

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Illegal Killing for Ivory Drives Global Decline in African Elephants
The authors of this study applied both empirical and modeling approaches to track illegal elephant killing at a regional and continental level. 75% of sites showed a population decline since 2009. Research into causes of a diminished (but still unsustainable) rate of killing since 2011 may provide insights into effective strategies to reduce the illegal ivory trade, which has created havoc with elephant family structures, skewing sex ratios, and increasing the orphaning of calves. READ MORE

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Jealousy in Dogs
This study tested whether dogs displayed jealous behaviors when their human companions attended to three different objects, including a stuffed dog. The dogs did display more aggression towards the stuffed dog than towards other objects, and more actively tried to divert their human's attention to themselves. This suggests that dogs experience jealousy, and that previous assumptions about the origin and nature of human jealousy may be inaccurate. READ MORE

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Understanding Vocalization Might Help to Assess Stressful Conditions in Piglets
In this study, the vocalizations of 22-week-old piglets were recorded while they were subjected to mild stress conditions of cold, pain, and hunger. The vocalizations were analyzed with computer software, and compared to recordings made when the piglets were not stressed. The vocalizations under each condition were distinct in the computer analysis, but only the pain vocalizations could be identified by the unaided human ear. READ MORE
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